THIS is the hugely worrying sign that will concern all Liverpool fans.

Just last night Philippe Coutinho took the captain's armband and scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 7-0 routing of Spartak Moscow.

The mood was soured after the game as he refused to pledge his future to Liverpool - and now bookies have suspended betting on him joining Barcelona next month.

Rumours that Barca have a £128million agreement with Liverpool’s star man surfaced this morning and Betway say they have taken the market down "after a string of telling bets".

Bookies move to suspend markets when the bet is considered a certainty and it's a telling sign they think a deal is imminent.

Betway spokesman Alan Alger said: “His dream move to Barcelona didn’t materialise in summer, but we’re taking no risks on Philippe Coutinho being granted his wish in January after reports Liverpool have agreed a deal with the Catalan giants.

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“Jurgen Klopp has done little to quash the rumours when asked whether the Brazilian would be at Liverpool in February, yet further indication that Coutinho is destined to bid farewell to Anfield.

“After heightened betting activity on Thursday, running in line with reports a deal has been agreed, we’ve decided to suspend betting on the 24-year-old making the switch to the Nou Camp in the upcoming transfer window.”

Coutinho has responded well this season and insists any fresh speculation will not have a detrimental impact on his focus and form at Anfield.

He said: "I do not know how the future is going to be. What will happen in January, we will know it in January. I do not know if there will be an offer.

“I am at Liverpool and I always do my best when I have the opportunity to play, respecting the jersey and the supporters.

GETTY

Philippe Coutinho celebrates as Liverpool rout Spartak 7-0

“Last summer there was a job offer [from Barcelona] in the same way that happens with any employee and I was interested in it. Since I stayed, I have played with will and desire.”

Danny Murphy has admitted Coutinho could go and said: "The Brazilian lads and Coutinho probably grew up thinking about Barca and Real more than he did Liverpool and United.

"I understand his thinking. I think he dealt with it quite well up until the last point when he was probably pushed into a corner to ask to leave.

"What I do like about Coutinho, apart from his obvious talent, is how he's reacted. There's not this whinging and poor body language. It says a lot about him."